Kohli loves the thrill of the chase after starring in India win

Virat Kohli concedes that batting second suits his game plan after the India captain played another sublime innings to guide his side to a six-wicket win over South Africa in Thursday's first one-day international.

Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis had made a gritty 120 to help South Africa post 269-8 from their 50 overs in Durban on a slow pitch, with his side having been in trouble at 134-5.

However, Kohli responded with 112 of his own and put on 189 for the third wicket alongside Ajinkya Rahane (79) as India moved ahead in the series.

And the visiting skipper, who now has 33 ODI centuries, was happy to be giving chase.

"It's easier [to bat second]," he said at the post-match presentation.

"You can break down a total when you have a number on the board, you know exactly what you want to do against each bowler. It suits my game plan."

He added: "It was quite special.

"The first game of the series is always important and we wanted to take the confidence of the last Test into here."